Douglas officials not cool with crowds at state beach

Wednesday

Jul 9, 2014 at 6:00 AMJul 9, 2014 at 12:59 PM

By Mary McDonald CORRESPONDENT

DOUGLAS — Town officials say they are tired of the traffic congestion, disturbances and litter that accompany the cars and crowds waiting to enter Wallum Lake Recreation Area, and will ask state officials to agree to close the park daily once it reaches capacity.

Wallum Lake is located at Douglas State Park.

Now, on days when the state park fills to capacity before noon, it will close to new arrivals but is allowed to reopen at 4 p.m., according to Douglas Police Chief Patrick T. Foley, summarizing the state's policy.

This has created a scenario in which shut-out visitors park illegally along both sides of the access road, as well as other feeder roads, and then wait for hours to enter the park.

About 60 percent of the park's visitors are from out of state, he said, and they know they can wait for the park to reopen. It's not unusual to find 100 or more cars parked illegally, he said. The park closes nightly at 8 p.m.

On most days, he said, he only has two officers working a shift and both have been dispatched to the state park for traffic control on the road or to respond to disturbances.

The location of the park, on the edge of town, means officers are isolated from the rest of the town, he said.

"All we're doing is chasing calls," he said.

Last weekend, Douglas police had to call for state and regional help after local officers responded to a disturbance among a group of people visiting the park. While the Douglas officers were making an arrest at the park, a domestic incident was reported in the lobby of the police station, Chief Foley said.

Douglas had to call in Sutton and Uxbridge police for help with the incident, the chief said.

Selectmen said they were frustrated by the traffic problems at the state park, and said they wanted the issues resolved quickly. They agreed to contact the state representative and state senator for the town, and to request a meeting with the state Department of Conservation and Recreation commissioner.

But some of the board members said they're tired of talking about it.

The problem first was identified four years ago, Selectman Timothy Bonin said.

One board member suggested limiting access to the park to Massachusetts, or even Douglas, residents only. Several suggested an increase in the admission fee, which is $10 for out-of-state visitors; $5 for Massachusetts visitors.

The state could double the admission fee for out-of-state visitors to make the park less appealing, said Selectman Kevin Morse.

"If you're out of state, we'll double it," he said. "Send them somewhere else. Make them Ashland's (State Park) problem."

The cars start lining up as early as 7 a.m. for the park, which opens at 9 a.m., according to Chief Foley.

A woman who lives in the area, who attended the meeting, said the people waiting to enter make noise, litter and block access to homes.

Lin Millette, whose driveway is just past the main entrance, said she called police when she couldn't get into her driveway, which was blocked by cars parked on Wallum Lake Road.